Pre-Close Trading Update
13 Septiembre 2007 - 2:01AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:7649D
NetServices PLC
13 September 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13 September 2007
NETSERVICES PLC
Pre-Close Trading Update
NetServices plc (AIM:NSV) (the "Company") wishes to take this opportunity to
provide an update on trading for the financial year just ended before it enters
a close period.
Un-audited Results for the year ended 31 August 2007
The results for the year to 31 August 2007 are expected to be turnover of not
less than #12.6m (2006: #16.2m) which will lead to an EBITDA loss of
approximately #0.3m, resulting in an expected loss before tax of #1.1m, in line
with management's expectations.
In May 2007 the Company announced the sale of its wholesale consumer broadband
base to 186k Limited ("186k"). The purchase consideration payable by 186k was
#0.8m and the profit on this transaction which will be recognised in the
financial year ended 31 August 2007 is expected to be not less than #0.4m. We
have been pleased with the efficient and effective way in which 186k has taken
over the servicing of the resellers covered by this disposal. We are in the
final stages of migrating the technical infrastructure required to deliver
these services to 186k. In the meantime, we have been re-charging costs
incurred on behalf of 186k to 186k. At the year end, approximately #0.4m of
the cash held by us, represented payment by 186k for these supplier recharges.
Ongoing business activities, primarily our converged voice and data business,
targeted at mid sized corporates and strategic resellers, contributed
approximately #7.5m of turnover. Importantly, this is an area which produces
higher margins, and in the second half of this year achieved gross margins in
excess of 40%. This business is expected to generate an EBITDA loss of
approximately #0.3m, and an expected loss before tax of #1.0m, after charging
#0.7m of depreciation and interest. Significant progress has been made in the
Company since the half year in rationalising and reducing the direct costs of
sale and overheads, and these ongoing business activities are currently EBITDA
positive.
During the financial year ended 31 August 2007 the Company chose to exit from
two areas of business where it possessed neither the scale nor the resources to
compete and generate a satisfactory rate of return. These were the wholesale
consumer broadband business referred to above and Carrier Pre Select ("CPS")
over traditional PSTN technology. This part of the business contributed
approximately #5.1m of turnover but due to continuing bad debt risk and write
offs it is expected that it will have contributed approximately #0.5m of the
loss before tax in the year.
Notwithstanding the impact of the bad debt charges referred to above, the
Company has made good progress in the collection of its overdue receivables
during the year. In addition, we have been aggressive in pursuing non-payers,
and at the year end there were a number of claims being pursued, where,
although we have fully provided against the debt, we would hope to make some
recovery.
As at 31 August 2007, the Company had cash balances of #1.9m, including the
#0.4m to above (2006: #1.4m).
Board Changes
As announced at the time of the interim results Steven Hartley stepped down as
Finance Director to become a Non-Executive Director. Ian Winn became the new
Finance Director on 1 July 2007.
Outlook
Our strategy remains focused on developing business in complex higher margin
converged solutions. Our core infrastructure, our comprehensive product
portfolio and the in-house expertise gained through managing voice networks
means we believe we are ideally positioned to provide the 'value-add' in
converged networking required by direct businesses and the PBX and value added
communities of resellers. We have made progress with the recent launch of our
Quality of Service (QoS) IPStream product which has received much interest and
the continued development of our IP (Internet Protocol) Carrier proposition to
resellers. In particular this has enabled us to sign a three year, #1.5m
contract with a large professional services firm for the delivery of a
converged network, incorporating both voice and data requirements.
We will provide a further update on trading and progress at the time of the
publication of the Company's preliminary results in November.
- Ends -
For further information, please contact:
NetServices plc Today on Tel No: 020 7466 5000
Mark Vickers, Chief Executive
Ian Winn, Finance Director
Arbuthnot Securities Tel No: 020 7012 2000
Tom Griffiths
Buchanan Communications Tel No: 020 7466 5000
Lisa Baderoon
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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